“The Northeast is an economic powerhouse. It is home to 51 million people – one in seven Americans – and four of the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The Northeast accounts for 30 percent of all jobs in the United States, 20 percent of the Nation’s gross domestic product and contributes $3 trillion annually to the U.S. economy,” theMembers wrote. “The Northeast Rail Corridor is the region’s backbone. It is the most heavily used passenger rail line in the United States serving more than 750,000 people every day on more than 2,200 intercity and commuter trains. The Northeast Rail Corridor is a moneymaker for Amtrak and the Federal Government. In 2016, nearly 3.5 million riders spent $593.7 million on seats on the high-speed Acela Express between Union Station in Washington and South Station in Boston.”